deprive
gb/dɪpɹˈaɪv/ us/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
B2
English
~ 6900
megfoszt
VERB
B2
1
megfoszt
B2
Usage pattern:
to deprive [someone] of [something]
Working night shifts can deprive you of sleep and social life.
Az éjszakai műszakban végzett munka megfoszthat az alvástól és a társasági élettől.
The new law could deprive many people of the help they depend on.
Az új törvény sokakat megfoszthat attól a segítségtől, amelyre rá vannak utalva.
Prisoners were deprived of contact with their families for months.
Growing up during the war deprived him of a normal childhood.
Cutting art classes will deprive students of a valuable way to express themselves.
Learner examples
The long trip deprived him of sleep.
A hosszú utazás megfosztotta őt az alvástól.
The accident deprived her of the chance to play in the final game.
A baleset megfosztotta őt attól a lehetőségtől, hogy pályára lépjen a döntő mérkőzésen.
The storm deprived many homes of electricity.
His illness deprived him of the energy to work.
The strict rules deprived the children of any free time.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"deprive someone from something"* instead of the correct pattern *"deprive someone of something"*. Another common confusion is between **"deprive"** (take something away) and **"deprave"** (make morally bad).
Meaning
take away something needed or owed
Collocations
deprive someone of sleep
|deprive someone of freedom
|deprive someone of their rights
|deprive someone of the chance
|deprive a child of love
|deprive someone of life
Synonyms
deny (Focuses on refusing to give something that is requested or expected, not always on taking it away.)
|
rob (Stronger and more emotional; often suggests unfairly taking something important, sometimes by force or crime.)
|
strip (Often used for removing rights, powers, or honors in a strong, sometimes official way.)
Antonyms
provide (Opposite because it means to give what is needed, rather than taking it away.)
|
grant (Opposite in contexts of rights and opportunities, where something is officially given instead of withheld.)
Themes
society
|law
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
To stop someone from having something they need or should have, by taking it away or not letting them have it.
To prevent someone from having or using something they need, want, or have a right to, by taking it away or not allowing it.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
megfoszt
B2
Usage pattern:
to deprive [someone] of [a right / status / position]
The court decision deprived him of custody of his children.
A bírósági döntés megfosztotta őt gyermekei felügyeleti jogától.
The government was criticized for depriving many citizens of their voting rights.
A kormányt bírálták, amiért sok állampolgárt megfosztott a választójogától.
After the scandal, she was deprived of her title and pension.
Drivers can be deprived of their license for repeated drunk driving offenses.
The new rules could deprive local councils of much of their authority.
Learner examples
The judge deprived him of his driving license.
A bíró bevonta a jogosítványát.
The new law may deprive some people of their right to vote.
Az új törvény egyeseket megfoszthat a választójoguktól.
He was deprived of his position after the investigation.
They were deprived of citizenship because of false documents.
The court deprived the parents of custody of the child.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this formal sense in everyday contexts where a simpler verb like *take away* or *remove* is more natural. Also, they may forget that this sense is usually used in official or legal situations, often in the passive voice: *"He was deprived of his license."*
Meaning
officially remove rights or status
Collocations
deprive someone of citizenship
|deprive someone of custody
|deprive someone of their rights
|deprive someone of their license
|deprive someone of their title
|deprive someone of authority
Synonyms
disqualify (Used when someone is officially stopped from taking part in an activity or competition, not usually for general rights.)
|
disenfranchise (More specific and technical; used mainly for taking away the right to vote.)
|
divest (Formal; can mean removing powers, rights, or property, especially in legal or business contexts.)
Antonyms
restore (Opposite in legal/formal contexts, where previously removed rights or status are given back.)
|
entitle (Opposite because it gives someone a right or claim, instead of taking it away.)
Themes
law
|politics
|society
Definition
To take away someone’s official right, job, or legal position by a formal or legal decision.
To remove a person’s rights, status, position, or powers through an official or legal decision, so that they no longer have them.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deprive
IPA
GB/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
US/dɪpɹˈaɪv/
Syllables & stress
de - prive (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prive)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deprive
- 3rd Person Singular: deprives
- Present Participle: depriving
- Past: deprived
Word family
Forms
deprives
verb
depriving
verb
deprived
verb
Core family
deprivation
noun B2
Related words
privilege
noun B1
privileged
adjective
Expressions
deprive someone of something
1/dɪpɹˈaɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
stop a person having something
To take something away from a person, or not let them have it, so they no longer have it.
Examples
- The new schedule deprives workers of time with their families.
- Poor nutrition deprives children of the chance to grow strong.
- The court ruling deprived him of his right to appeal.